Interior design dispute

Wimster

In September, I engaged the services of an interior designer. They came to have a look at the room, listened to what I wanted and nodded thoughtfully. It was all do-able although they had a concern on the budget I set them. Note: they had a 'concern'.

I paid their design fee, they did detailed measuring and came up with an estimate that is more than double of the budget that I set them. I queried the use of several of the materials as in my opinion they were really rather overpriced. Their claim is that they only propose what they know, claiming they do not have full control otherwise. They now effectively say 'tough, this is what it is'.

When they said they had a 'concern' about the budget, I expected (and budgeted) for things to be a bit more expensive but not double. I am contemplating taking them to the small claims court to see if I can get the design fee back on the basis they are in breach of contract; the contract being to provide a design to a budget.

What would my chances be with the SCC or should I just cut my losses?

Leo2020

Would you have been happy if they had come back with a design that was nothing like what you wanted but within budget?

You set them an impossible task: I want this but I can't afford it, but I still want you to come up with a design within budget or a bit over.

They did advise you that they had a concern over the budget. Perhaps they didn't realise how much over your budget it would be until they did the design - until they measure up and work out costs of materials it will only be a guesstimate.

The interior designer did do a design for you, sometimes it is hard to put a value on this sort of work unless you are a designer. Something might sometimes seem like a couple of hours of work to you but it could have took days or even weeks.

wealdroam

Wimster, once you knew there was a 'concern' over the budget, I think the onus was on you to at least question the designer to better understand their thoughts.

I think you would've been wise to set some bounds on how much over budget you were prepared to accept.

It appears you did neither.

You paid them... they delivered.

Sorry.

sistafromanothermista

You paid for them to 'design', they 'designed' just because the price was over your budget this doesn't entitle you to recompense!
You paid for a service, they provided....simple.

Norma_Desmond

The nouveau riche get everywhere.

italiastar

Norma_Desmond wrote: »

The nouveau riche get everywhere.

The OP was looking for advice, not smart comments

xxJudexx

Can you not ask them to complete a new design within budget?

oldoakey

It is very difficult to know the price of something before all the prep work is done to be able to quote. The designers have to do a fair amount of work to get to that point, choosing fabrics and styles etc.

But they should also had one eye on the budget you set them, I would ask them to re quote using less expensive materials keeping the same basic ideas as before but with an eye on overall costs. Surely it is part of there remit to be near or within a budget that has been given to them by their customer.

There are many ways to do that, maybe they just think they have done enough and been paid anyway, difficult to judge without all the details.

pinkshoes

sistafromanothermista wrote: »

You paid for them to 'design', they 'designed' just because the price was over your budget this doesn't entitle you to recompense!
You paid for a service, they provided....simple.

Clearly someone who has never used a design service...!

For those who are not familiar with interior designers, the whole point is that they design something that meets both your desired STYLE and BUDGET.

If they knew they could not stick to the budget, then they should have declined the job rather than taking the fee. 20% over the budget would have been perhaps OK, but 100% over budget is a poor job!

If they are that far over budget, I would question how well they know their market!!

They should either refund your design fee, or re-design as per your request to fit both style and budget.